Is Your Grief Consuming You?

Grief can be painful and life changing. And yet grief which comes with loss is an unavoidable part of the human experience. When you suffer a loss it seems that life is anything but fair at times. Grief affects everyone in different ways, and there are times that grief is all consuming. How do you know is grief consuming you?

Stages of Grief Do They Work

Many people have come to know of hear about the stages of grief. And though they may be helpful in trying to understand what to expect, the fact is that is not typically how the grief cycle works. Although most people will experience these stages we will not all experience the same nor will we experience them in the same order.

In addition there are times when grief is complex also known as complicated grief. In fact grief can completely take over your. Grief can be all consuming.

Grief is a Powerful Emotion

Although grief is an extremely powerful emotion, there is such a thing as excessive grief. Make no mistake; the grieving process is always a difficult one. However, if left unresolved, grief can quickly consume your life. Even though everyone experiences grief differently, no one should let this emotion influence their life inevitably.

Is Grief Consuming You? How to Know

In this article, we will discuss several indicators that grief is taking control of your quality of life. Grief can take a toll and wear us down if we do not look at healthier ways to more through this difficult time. If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these responses, it is important to seek help or intervene.

You Are Completely Isolating Yourself

Needing to be alone is a natural and healthy part of the grieving process. Truth be told, alone time is important even in the absence of grief. Adequate time to process thoughts and sort out emotional clutter is beneficial.

Unfortunately, however, this can quickly lead to a state of isolation. It is easy to shut yourself off completely to the outside world.

While part of the process does involve some alone time, this does not mean in its entirety. There are bound to be thoughts and emotions that you need to express to someone close to you in order to release the tension that can be very harmful if allowed to fester.

Feeling Guilty About Being Happy Or Having Fun

It is not unusual when dealing with a traumatic loss of someone you love to feel guilty about being happy or living life in general. It is likely you are consumed by grief when its feels wrong for experiencing anything but sadness after the loss.

You may feel as if these emotions are disrespectful to the individual or that their memory is being erased. This is especially true for those who have lost a child, a spouse or anyone that is close to them. With this said these feeling can happen to anyone and in any relationship. Grief is so unique it is never possible to have a one size fits all answer to anything.

Feel Emotions Help With Consuming Grief

One of the best ways to move through the grieving process is to allow yourself to feel these emotions. Knowing that grief is consuming you is acknowledging it is happening so you can take steps start the healing process.

It’s is important to let these emotions, and any other emotions, to come and go naturally.

While you will almost certainly not feel happiness or excitement early in the process. Know it is okay to be okay when you start to feel, or sense joy, peace, happiness, or whatever you feel.

Suppressing feelings that are good or bad as only allow grief to consume you further. ings when they do come. You are not doing any disservice to the individual or situation that is causing you to grieve by allowing positive thoughts and emotions to come into your life.

You Have Lost Interest In Things You Enjoy

 Any time you let grief strip away your interest in activities and hobbies that you normally enjoy for an extended period of time, the grief is consuming you. Once again, this can be a normal part of the early grieving process.

However, allowing a traumatic change in life to change the REST of your life is extremely detrimental. If this happens, it is important to ask yourself why you feel this way. Maybe the activity in question was something you used to enjoy with someone you have lost, you may be exhibiting the previous response we discussed and feel bad about enjoying the activity.

Whatever the case may be, it is important that you at least allow yourself to go through the motions regarding your usual interests. You may even try something new. Either way, having some form of external outlet to assist you in the process is much needed, so long as this outlet is not harmful.

Concluding Is Grief Consuming You

If and when you find yourself going through the process of grief, know that it will take some time to heal. However, it is important that you ALLOW yourself to experience healing.

Read – Finding comfort during grief.